Pillow

ABSTRACT

A pillow comprising two wings, a bridging section connecting the wings so that the wings and bridging section form a substantially U-shaped shape, and support arms. The pillow has a first configuration in which the support arms are provided in the bridging section, and a second configuration in which the support arms are removed from the bridging section, thereby reducing the thickness of the thinnest portion of pillow in the bridging section. In the second configuration, the thickness of the thinnest portion of pillow in the bridging section is less than the thickness of the thickest portion of the pillow in the wings.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to pillows, and more particularly totravel pillows.

Description of the Related Art

Pillows are known that are particularly suitable for use during travel.Such pillows often are substantially U-shaped in plan view so that thepillow can be wrapped around the back and sides of the neck of the userto support the user's head. Some such pillows are inflatable. Otherscontain a particulate material.

The present invention aims to provide an improved pillow.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Pillows comprising two wings and a bridging section connecting the wingsso that the wings and bridging section form a substantially U-shapedshape are well known. The inventors have realised that it isadvantageous to provide such pillows with, in addition, a support meansso that the pillow has a first configuration in which the support meansis provided in the bridging section, and the pillow has a secondconfiguration in which the support means is removed from the bridgingsection thereby reducing the thickness of the thinnest portion of pillowin the bridging section. In this way, the thickness of the pillow in thebridging section can be changed by the user as desired. It isparticularly advantageous a) if the support means is provided only inthe bridging section, or b) if the removal of the support means from thebridging section also reduces thickness of the thinnest portion ofpillow in the bridging section in comparison to the thickness of thethickest portion of the wings.

In this specification the term “thickness” refers to the depth dimensionwhen the pillow is viewed in plan view and the wings and bridgingsection form a substantially U shaped shape (i.e. in the direction ofview). This dimension is in the direction perpendicular to the surfaceon which the pillow is resting in normal use. The thinnest part,correspondingly, is the thinnest in the same depth dimension.

A first aspect of the present invention provides a pillow comprising twowings; a bridging section connecting the wings so that the wings andbridging section form a substantially U-shaped shape, and a supportmeans, wherein the pillow has a first configuration in which the supportmeans is provided in the bridging section, and the pillow has a secondconfiguration in which the support means is removed from the bridgingsection thereby reducing the thickness of the thinnest portion of pillowin the bridging section, and wherein, in the second configuration, thethickness of the thinnest portion of pillow in the bridging section isless than the thickness of the thickest portion of the pillow in thewings.

The first aspect of the present invention provides a pillow that can bereconfigured by the user as desired. In particular, the pillow can bereconfigured from the first configuration (in which the support meansprovides support for the user's head in the bridging section) to thesecond configuration (in which the support means is removed from thebridging section, thereby allowing the user's head to move closer to thesurface on which the pillow is resting). Hence the first aspect of thepresent invention provides a pillow in which the support provided in thebridging section for the user's head can be adjusted by the user asdesired.

Preferably, in the first configuration, the support means is providedonly in the bridging section.

Preferably, in the second configuration, the support means is providedin one or both wings.

By providing, in the second configuration, the support means in one orboth wings, the support means can conveniently be moved from thebridging section to one or both wings. This means that, in the secondconfiguration, the support means provides additional support for theuser's head around the user's neck.

Preferably, in the second configuration, the bridging section issubstantially flat.

Preferably, the support means comprises two support members, each fixedor removably attached to a respective wing. Alternatively, the supportmeans may comprise one support member fixed or removably attached to awing, or more than two support members fixed or removably attached to awing. The reference to each support member hereinafter includes the casewhere there is one support member.

Preferably, each support member has a corresponding shape to the wing towhich it is fixed or removably attached. For example, each supportmember may have substantially the same shape as, but be smaller than,the wing to which it is attached.

Each support member may be elongate. Each support member may be fixed orremovably attached at one of its ends to the respective wing. Thisallows the each support member to rotate about the point of fixing orremovable attachment between the first and second configurations.Preferably, each support member is fixed or removably attached adjacentto the bridging section and/or at one end of the respective wing.

Preferably, each support member is fixed or removably attached in a lineat one of its ends to the respective wing. Suitably, each support membermay be fixed by stitching.

Preferably, in the second configuration, each support member isremovably attached at another of its ends to the respective wing,preferably, at another end of the respective wing.

Preferably, one or more of the wings and bridging section containsparticulate material.

Preferably, the support means contains particulate material. Preferably,the support means is flexible.

Preferably, the pillow comprises means for fixing the support means inthe first configuration, the second configuration, or both. The meansfor fixing the support means may comprise any suitable means for examplea pocket, a clip, a fastener, a popper or snap fastener, or the like. Inthe case of a pocket, the support means may be tucked into the pocket orpockets.

Preferably, in the first configuration, the support means is provided inthe bridging section in a pocket in the bridging section. Preferably,the support members, free ends thereof or the whole thereof can betucked into the pocket.

Preferably, the pocket is formed between an outer layer of material ofthe bridging section and an inner layer of material of the bridgingsection. Here “outer” and “inner” are with respect to a direction normalto the surface of the bridging section.

Preferably the wings and bridging section form a substantially U-shapedshape in plan view, and the bridging section has a peripheral surface inelevation view, and the pillow comprises at least one gripping memberprovided on and fixed to the peripheral surface of the bridging section,to improve grip between the bridging section and a surface which thebridging section contacts.

Preferably, the peripheral surface is formed by the outer layer ofmaterial of the bridging section that forms the pocket.

A second aspect of the present invention provides a pillow comprisingtwo wings; a bridging section connecting the wings so that the wings andbridging section form a substantially U-shaped shape in plan view, andthe bridging section has a peripheral surface in elevation view; and atleast one gripping member provided on and fixed to the peripheralsurface of the bridging section, to improve grip between the bridgingsection and a surface which the bridging section contacts. Here theperipheral surface of the bridging section defines part of the outlineof the bridging section when seen in elevation view.

Preferably, the at least one gripping member comprises silicone.

Preferably, a pocket is formed between an outer layer of material of thebridging section and an inner layer of material of the bridging section.Here “outer” and “inner” are with respect to a direction normal to thesurface of the bridging section.

Preferably, the peripheral surface is formed by the outer layer ofmaterial of the bridging section that forms the pocket.

Preferably, there is a plurality of gripping members.

Preferably, the gripping members are substantially equally spaced inplan view.

Preferably, the gripping members are each substantially circular in planview. Preferably, the gripping members are each substantiallyhemispherical.

Preferably, in the first configuration, the thickness of the bridgingsection (for example the thickness of the thinnest portion of thebridging section) is about the same as the thickness of one or bothwings.

Preferably, in the second configuration, the thickness of one or both ofthe support members is at least 20% of the thickness of one or both ofthe wings, more preferably, 50%, more preferably still 70%.

Preferably, in the second configuration, the thickness of the thinnestportion of pillow in the bridging section is less than 50% of thethickness of the thinnest portion of pillow in the bridging section inthe first configuration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, purely byway of example, with reference to the drawings in which:

FIGS. 1-7 are, respectively, front (plan), left (elevation), right(elevation), rear (plan), top (elevation), bottom (elevation) andperspective views of a pillow according to a preferred embodiment of theinvention in a second configuration;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the pillow of FIGS. 1-7;

FIG. 9 is a side (elevation) view of the pillow of FIGS. 1-7;

FIG. 10 is a rear (plan) view of the pillow of FIGS. 1-7;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the pillow of FIGS. 1-7 showing thepocket;

FIG. 12 is a plan view of the pillow of FIGS. 1-7 showing an arm beingtucked into the pocket;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the pillow of FIGS. 1-7 in a firstconfiguration;

FIGS. 14-20 are, respectively, front (plan), left (elevation), right(elevation), rear (plan), top (elevation), bottom (elevation) andperspective views of a pillow of FIGS. 1-7 in the first configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1-7, the pillow 1 comprises two wings 2, 3; abridging section 4 connecting the wings 2, 3 so that the wings 2, 3 andbridging section 4 form a substantially U-shaped shape, and a supportmeans in the form of support members or arms 5, 6.

The pillow 1 has a first configuration (see FIGS. 13-20) in which thearms 5, 6 are provided in the bridging section 4. This is explained inmore detail below.

The pillow 1 also has a second configuration, as shown in FIGS. 1-7, inwhich the arms 5, 6 are removed from the bridging section 4 therebyreducing the thickness of the thinnest portion of pillow 1 in thebridging section 4. In the second configuration, the thickness of thethinnest portion of pillow 1 in the bridging section 4 is less than thethickness of the thickest portion of the pillow 1 in the wings 2, 3.

In the present embodiment, the wings 2, 3, bridging section 4 and thearms 5, 6 contain particulate material. In the present embodiment, thebridging section comprises a cushioning means 7 containing a substanceor material different from the particulate material. For example, thematerial may be foam. The cushioning means has a substantiallytrapezoidal shape in plan.

In the present embodiment, a pair of popper fasteners 8, 9 are provided,each at a free end of a wing 2, 3. By fastening the fasteners 8, 9 whilethe pillow is worn around the neck, a snug fit around the neck of theuser is provided. The fasteners 8, 9 can also be used to secure thepillow 1 to other items during travel, for example the handle of asuitcase.

Referring to FIGS. 2-6 in particular, the bridging section 4 has aperipheral surface in elevation view (as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 5 and 6).The peripheral surface of the bridging section 4 defines part of theoutline of the bridging section 4 when seen in elevation view. Thepillow 1 comprises a plurality of gripping members 20 provided on andfixed to the peripheral surface of the bridging section 4, to improvegrip between the bridging 4 section and a surface (for example of achair) which the bridging section 4 contacts. The gripping members 20improve grip whether the pillow is in the first or second configuration.

In the present embodiment, the gripping members 20 are siliconehemispheres.

A loop 11 is fixed to the bridging section 4 by which the pillow 1 canbe carried or hung. The arms 5, 6 are fixed by stitching along a line torespective arms 2, 3 adjacent to the bridging section 4. In the secondconfiguration, as shown in FIGS. 1-7, the arms 5, 6 are also removablyattached to respective wings 2, 3. The free ends of arms 5, 6 are eachprovided with a popper fastener 12, 13 which can be fastened to arespective popper fastener 14, 15 at the end of respective wings 5, 6(see FIG. 10).

When changing the configuration of the pillow 1 from the secondconfiguration to the first configuration, the arms 5, 6 are tucked intoa pocket 10 provided in the bridging section 4. Referring to FIG. 11,the pillow 1 is shown in a state in which arm 6 has been tucked into thepocket 10 but arm 5 has not. FIG. 11 shows the pocket 10 ready toreceive the arm 5. FIG. 12 show arm 6 being tucked into the pocket 10.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention has been describedpurely by way of example, and various modifications, additions and/oromissions will present themselves to one skilled in the art, all ofwhich form part of the invention, together with their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A pillow comprising: two wings; a bridging section connecting the wings so that the wings and bridging section form a substantially U-shaped shape, and a support means, wherein the pillow has a first configuration in which the support means is provided in the bridging section, and the pillow has a second configuration in which the support means is removed from the bridging section thereby reducing the thickness of the thinnest portion of pillow in the bridging section, and wherein, in the second configuration, the thickness of the thinnest portion of pillow in the bridging section is less than the thickness of the thickest portion of the pillow in the wings, and wherein, in the second configuration, the support means is provided in one or both wings.
 2. A pillow according to claim 1, wherein, in the first configuration, the support means is provided only in the bridging section.
 3. A pillow according to claim 1, wherein the support means comprises two support members, each fixed or removably attached to a respective wing.
 4. A pillow according to claim 3, wherein each support member has a corresponding shape to the wing to which it is fixed or removably attached.
 5. A pillow according to claim 3, wherein each support member is elongate.
 6. A pillow according to claim 5, wherein each support member is fixed or removably attached at one of its ends to the respective wing.
 7. A pillow according to claim 6, wherein each support member is fixed or removably attached in a line at one of its ends to the respective wing.
 8. A pillow according to claim 6, wherein, in the second configuration, each support member is removably attached at another of its ends to the respective wing.
 9. A pillow according to claim 1, wherein one or more of the wings and bridging section contains particulate material.
 10. A pillow according to claim 1, wherein the support means contains particulate material.
 11. A pillow according to claim 1, comprising means for fixing the support means in the first configuration, the second configuration, or both.
 12. A pillow according to claim 1, wherein, in the first configuration, the support means is provided in the bridging section in a pocket in the bridging section.
 13. A pillow according to claim 12, wherein the pocket is formed between an outer layer of material of the bridging section and an inner layer of material of the bridging section.
 14. A pillow according to claim 1, wherein the wings and bridging section form a substantially U-shaped shape in plan view, and the bridging section has a peripheral surface in elevation view, and the pillow comprises: at least one gripping member provided on and fixed to the peripheral surface of the bridging section, to improve grip between the bridging section and a surface which the bridging section contacts.
 15. A pillow according to claim 13, wherein the wings and bridging section form a substantially U-shaped shape in plan view, and the bridging section has a peripheral surface in elevation view, and the pillow comprises at least one gripping member provided on and fixed to the peripheral surface of the bridging section, to improve grip between the bridging section and a surface which the bridging section contacts, and wherein the peripheral surface is formed by the outer layer of material of the bridging section that forms the pocket.
 16. A pillow comprising: two wings; a bridging section connecting the wings so that the wings and bridging section form a substantially U-shaped shape in plan view, and the bridging section has a peripheral surface in elevation view; and at least one gripping member provided on and fixed to the peripheral surface of the bridging section, to improve grip between the bridging section and a surface which the bridging section contacts.
 17. A pillow according to claim 16, wherein the at least one gripping member comprises silicone.
 18. A pillow according to claim 16, wherein a pocket is formed between an outer layer of material of the bridging section and an inner layer of material of the bridging section.
 19. A pillow according to claim 18, wherein the peripheral surface is formed by the outer layer of material of the bridging section that forms the pocket.
 20. A pillow according to claim 1, wherein, in the first configuration, the thickness of the bridging section is about the same as the thickness of the wings. 